Universal vise



Patented Feb. 2, 1943 GFFICE UNIVERSAL VISE James B. Giern and Anders P.Anholtt, Detroit, Mich.

Application May 1, 1941, Serial No. 391,264 4 Claims. (Cl. 287-12) Thisinvention relates to work holders and in particular to vises for holdingwork pieces in various positions, preferably in connection with machinetools.

One object of this invention is to provide a universal vise wherein thework holder is movable into various positions ranging from vertical tohorizontal, and is capable of being rigidly clamped in the adjustedposition.

Another object is to provide a universal vise wherein the work holder ismounted on a ball which is clamped into a spherical recess or socket bya ring secured in an annular recess which prevents outward expansion ofthe ring as it is clamped down against the ball.

Another object is as set forth in the preceding object wherein theclamping ring is provided with a radial slot making it C-shaped so as toenable the stem of the work holder to be swung from a vertical to acompletely horizontal position, the annular recess in which thisC-shaped ring is seated serving to prevent the outward expansion of theC-shaped ring as it is clamped into position against the ball, the basehaving a corresponding slot aligned with the slot in the C-shaped ring.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a preferred form of a universal viseaccording to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the universal vise shown in Figure 1.

Figures 3 is a front elevation of the universal vise shown in Figures 1and 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary central vertical section taken along the line4--4 in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a side elevation similar to Figure 1 but with the workholder swung from a vertical to a completely horizontal position.

In general, the universal vise of this invention consists of a basehaving a spherical socket surrounded by an annular recess. Seated in thesocket is a ball having a stem surmounted by a work holder. The ball isclamped into the socket by means of a C-shaped ring seated in theannular recess. When the C-shaped ring is tightened by its clampingscrews, it is prevented from expanding outwardly by the walls of theannular recess, so that it securely clamps the ball in the socket. Theslot in the C-shaped clamping ring cooperates with a slot in the base topermit the stern of the work holder to be swung from a vertical to acompletely horizontal position by moving it downwardly into the slots.

Referring to the drawing in detail, Figures 1 and 4 show the universalvise of this invention as consisting of a base I9 having the centralportion II containing a spherical socket i2 surrounded by an annularrecess I3 having an annular side wal1 I and a slot I5 therein (Figure3). The base I9 may be solid or it may have the central portion I Iseparated from the hinge portion I9 `by an annular hollow space I. Therecess I5 is preferably extended downwardly as at I8 slightly below thelevel of the annular recess I3.

to provide the universal vise f C-shaped clamping ring Mounted in therecess I3 and engaging the outer wall It thereof is a C-shaped clampingring I9 having a radial slot 29 entirely through the ring aligned withthe slot l5 in the base Ill. The clamping ring I9 is held in clampingposition by set screws 2l passing through holes 22 in the clamping ringI9 and threaded into holes 23 in the base Iii. The outer surface 24 ofthe clamping ring I9 preferably corresponds to the outer wall Ill of therecess, whereas the inner surface 25 of the clamping ring I9 ispreferably conical or curved.

Seated in the spherical socket I2 is a ball 26 having spherical outersurface Z'I which is engaged by the flared inner surface 25 of theclamping ring I9. The relative dimensions of the parts are such thatwhen the clamping ring I9 is clamped against the ball 2t by tighteningthe clamping screws 2 I the bottom surface 28 of the I9 is spacedslightly above the bottom surface 29 of the recess I3, thereby providinga slight clearance between the opposing surfaces 28 and 29. Rising fromthe bal126 is a stem 39 surrnounted by a work holder 3| of any suitableform. The work holder shown in the drawing 4is a form adapted to holdthe objects ordinarily worked upon and consists of a transverse portion3| provided with a groove 32 for receiving the work piece. The latter issecured in the groove by tightening the set screws 33 threaded throughthe threaded holes 34 in the work holder 3|.

The universal vise of this invention may be used by itself or it may beclamped to the bed of a machine or work bench by any suitable means,such as by clamping bolts or magnets. For this purpose, the base I9 maybe provided with holes 35 for the reception of clamping bolts. When theuniversal vise is employed in a machine tool such as al milling machine,shaper or grinder, the clamping bolts are inserted in T slots in the bedof a machine and thereby the vise is firmly held against the base.

In the operation of the invention, the Work a C-shaped clamping memberpiece is inserted in the slot 32 and secured firmly in position bytightening the set screws 33, either with or without an intermediatestrip of soft metal, such as copper, to prevent marring or denting thework piece. The clamping screws ZI are then loosened and the work holder3| swung into the desired position. One of these positions (Figure 5)occurs when the stem 30 is substantially horizontal, the stem 30 passingthrough the slots 26 and I5 in the clamping ring I9 and base I Drespectively. When the work holder 3I has been located in the desiredposition, it is clamped in that position by tightening the clampingscrews 2|. When this is done, the inner surface of the clamping ring I9forces the spherical surface 21 of the ball 2B down into the sphericalsocket I2, and holds it tightly in position. If the stem 3U ishorizontal (Figure 5), the C-shaped clamping ring I9 permits the stem topass out between the arms of the clamping ring and through thecorresponding slot I5 in the base I0.

Since the C-shaped clamping ring I9 is disposed in an annular recess I3with outer walls I4, the clamping ring I9 is prevented from expandinglaterally as it is clamped in position. Thus the ball 26, stem 30 andwork holder 3I are'held in a rigid position without any yielding of theparts, even though the working conditions require a horizontal positionof the stem 3U (Figure 5).

In this manner, there is provided a universal vise in which' the stem 30may be swung from a completely vertical to a completely horizontalposition without interference on the part of the clamping ring I9 or thebase I0. The slot 2 in the clamping ring L. and the cooperating slot I5in the base Zl prevents such interference and permits a wide range ofadjustment to be accomplished.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described andillustrated, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade provided they come within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

l. A device of the character described comprising a base having a socketand an internal annular recess surrounding said socket, a work holderhaving a spherical portion seated in said socket, having an internalbeveled surface secured in said recess with said beveled surfaceengaging said spherical portion, and circumferentially spaced screws forclamping said clamping member to said base whereby said clamping memberwill expand into engagement with said recess.

2. A device of the character described comprising a base having a socketand an annular internal recess surrounding said socket, a work holderhaving a spherical portion seated in said socket, a C-shaped clampingmember having a beveled internal surface secured in said recess with thebeveled surface engaging said spherical portion, and circumferentiallyspaced clamping screws for clamping said member to said base, said basehaving a slot in the outer wall of said annular recess alined with theslot in said C-shaped `clamping member whereby expansion of the clampingmember will tightly lock said spherical portion in said socket.

3. A device of the character described comprising a base having a socketand an annular internal recess surrounding said socket, a, work holderhaving a convex portion seated in said socket and having a stem adjacentsaid convex portion, a radially slotted clamping member having a beveledinternal surface secured in said recess with the beveled surfaceengaging said convex portion, and means for clamping said clampingmember to said base whereby expansion of the clamping member will lockthe sarne in the recess, said base having a slot in the outer wall ofsaid annular recess in alignment with the slot in said clamping memberand cooperating therewith to receive said stem.

4. A device of the character described comprising a base having aspherically curved socket surrounded by an internal annular recess witha radial slot through the side wall thereof, a spherically curved bodyseated in said socket, a stem connected to said body, a work holder onsaid stem, a C-shaped clamping ring having a beveled internal surfacesecured in said recess with its slot in alignment with the slot in theannular recess, said slots having a width greater than the width of saidstem whereby to receive said stem. and means for clamping said clampingring to said base whereby expansion of said ring will lock the saine insaid recess.

JAMES B. GIERN. ANDERS P. ANHOL'IT.

